Grow Mustard Greens for your Chickens!

Feeding greens of all kinds to chickens provides several benefits that can help improve their overall health and productivity. 

Greens are rich in nutrients, which are essential for the growth and development of the birds. They contain vitamins, minerals, and other elements that can help boost the immune system of the chickens, making them less susceptible to disease and infections. 

Having a diet rich in greens can also help in the egg production process, making the eggs healthier and more nutritious.


More so, greens can stimulate the chickens' natural foraging behavior which can potentially reduce stress levels and aggressive behaviors, leading to a calmer and more productive flock.

 

Why Mustard Greens?

Enhanced Egg Quality: Mustard greens are rich in nutrients like carotenoids that improve egg yolk color, making them more appealing. Also, the high protein content can contribute to a thicker eggshell, reducing the chance of breakage.



Boosted Immune System: Mustard greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, providing a natural boost to the chicken's immune system. This helps in making the chickens more resistant to diseases, resulting in healthier, more vigorous birds.



Efficient Growth: The high protein content in mustard greens contributes to faster and healthier growth in chickens. This can lead to increased productivity and profitability for those raising chickens for meat.



Natural Dewormer: Certain compounds in mustard greens can act as natural dewormers, helping to keep chickens free from parasites. This reduces reliance on chemical dewormers, contributing to a healthier, more organic chicken-raising process.



Improved Digestion: Mustard greens have high fiber content that aids in digestion, helping chickens process their food more efficiently. This ability to more effectively absorb nutrients can lead to overall better health and performance.


  

Enriched Flavor of Poultry: The nutrients in mustard greens can positively affect the taste of poultry, resulting in a richer, more robust flavor.



Reduced Feed Costs: Utilizing mustard greens as a part of the chickens' diet can help cut down on the costs associated with commercial feeds. This not only reduces expenses but also allows for a more natural, organic diet for the chickens.



Environmental Sustainability: Feeding mustard greens to chickens allows for the recycling of plant waste, contributing to sustainable farming practices. It can provide a useful way to dispose of surplus mustard greens and reduce waste on the farm, contributing to a healthier environment.



Stress Reduction: The act of pecking and scratching at mustard greens can provide chickens with a natural stress relief, as they are allowed to participate in their instinctual behaviors. This can lead to happier, healthier chickens with a better quality of life.



High in Antioxidants: Mustard greens are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight against oxidative stress in chickens, promoting a longer, healthier life for the birds.

Did you know you can winter sow Mustard Greens?

Winter Sowing

If you haven't tried winter sowing, you're in for a treat.  This method is especially good for sowing herbs.  

Winter sowing is basically sowing seeds in the bottom of milk jugs in the winter, setting the milk jugs outside for the winter and leaving them there until the seeds germinate in the Spring.

For our article containing detailed information about Winter Sowing, click here.

To watch our 30 minute video on how to winter sow, click here.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Try growing mustard greens for your chickens and keep them healthy!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

This post may contain some Amazon Associate links meaning that I will get a small compensation at no expense to you if you purchase an item.